Which of these are the best areas to Live (Atlanta: real estate, budget)

[Ace0611]

My wife and I are currently looking to move to Georgia by the first of the year from Tampa, Florida and we had a couple of places in mind where we would like to reside( Jonesboro, Decatur, Duluth, Douglasville, McDonough, and Cobb County). I've researched the above areas but with no luck can I seem to find much information on he job markets in the areas and apartment prices. We're desperate to get out of the dead job market we're currently in. I have a background in Customer Service/Data Entry and my wife in the hospital and education field. We're desperate for a better opportunity elsewhere. Does anyone know about Job opportunities in these areas and how are the areas in general. Also How affordabe is a one bedroom apartment in Atlanta or the surrounding cities.

[nrgpill]

I would take the inside-out approach by studying various metro-area employment centers first. Once you land a job at one of these employment centers (the major ones are Perimeter Center, Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, Cumberland, and Alpharetta), figure out how much your are willing to commute and what your housing budget is. Then rent while figuring out where you ultimately want to end up.

You can almost create an employment map of the metro Atlanta area and figure out where the desirable areas are.

[postprime]

Originally Posted by nrgpill

I would take the inside-out approach by studying various metro-area employment centers first. Once you land a job at one of these employment centers (the major ones are Perimeter Center, Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, Cumberland, and Alpharetta), figure out how much your are willing to commute and what your housing budget is. Then rent while figuring out where you ultimately want to end up.

You can almost create an employment map of the metro Atlanta area and figure out where the desirable areas are.

For someone in the "hospital/education" field I'd add the Emory area to that list..the Clifton Road corridor to be more precise.

[Scraper Enthusiast]

Provide a demographic profile of yourself, and I'd better be able to advise you.

[thedudewiththeplan]

I would be very careful looking into Jonesboro. The school system is close to loosing its accredidation and housing values could suffer. Also you have to pick and choose the neighborhoods there. Some are ok, others can be dicey.

[Ace0611]

we've did a little research and we're considering smyrna or jonesboro. i've been researching different apt complexes in smyrna and now i'm looking into Jonesboro. We don't have to live in fantsy island, we just want a nice safe mixed populated area to reside in. which would you say is a better area Jonesbor or smyrna

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Ace0611

we've did a little research and we're considering smyrna or jonesboro. i've been researching different apt complexes in smyrna and now i'm looking into Jonesboro. We don't have to live in fantsy island, we just want a nice safe mixed populated area to reside in. which would you say is a better area Jonesbor or smyrna

Jonesboro is in Clayton County. It's best at this time to avoid Clayton County in general due to the continued problems with the school system, as well as a problem with rising crime in some areas throughout the county.

Smyrna is your better option between the two.

Also consider Marietta or Kennesaw in Cobb County. As others have said above, once you provide more info they can make more detailed suggestions.

[Merin]

I would say Smyrna and also advise you to have a job before you move. Since one of you is in the hospital field have you looked at North side or Saint Joe's? They are in a decent part of town. How much do you think you can spend on rent?

[justoma]

We moved here from Palm Harbor the past year. Our house there still has not sold, hubby is still working there. He has 30 years on with HSCFR. We live in Hiram, Paulding County, NW of Atlanta. I love it here, far enough out to have 3 wooded acres. 10 minutes to 278, grocery and what have you. You wouldn't believe how many people here are from the Tampa Area! Real Estate Buck goes farther here, then what it did or does in Pinellas county. Don't know much about jobs here but I'm sure they are around.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Smyrna is your better option between the two.

That's the understatement of the day